I smiled as I watched the procession from my window, for it was as natural to me as handing out pumpkin muffins at the Library where I work. "The Others" had been visible to me for over 50 years, and I was not surprised that they would return to the scene of their greatest triumphs.
When my grandparents had owned the house, it had been about 15 miles away from a new film studio. We'd made a nice living renting out our pastures for quickie westerns and such. Later, in the early 30's, my dad went to work for a peppery guy named Pierce...laying out all the makeup and tools with the precision of a surgeon. Pierce was a hard guy to work for, but Dad didn't mind...jobs were hard to get, and he loved "BIG U". He never failed to tell me of his extra work in the Studio's most famous film. First, he had danced in lederhosen in the old village, and later that evening, he and 20 other extras had run up the hill with lit torches...yelling all the way. Dad had stayed on right through the Depression, finding my mom on the set of THE WOLFMAN. (Mom made a yummy gypsy dancer) By the time I arrived, Mom had retired...(though I'm told that I made an unbilled appearance in FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLFMAN...hidden under a shawl.)
Dad retired when Mr. Pierce left in 1948. Mr. P. had told the new owners to " scr*w it" when they said he was too old fashioned. I still remember my last day. We all knew it was the end... Mr. Karloff had moved on, and Mssrs. Chaney and Lugosi were little more than straight men. Everyone worked their tails off, but it was kind of obvious that "monsters" no longer sold. I was sitting out of camera range, with my arm around Moose, Mr. Chaney's dog. When the Director called "That's a WRAP", I started to sniffle into Moose's fur. Suddenly, I was enveloped in a giant bear hug...looking into laughing eyes and smelling the comforting scent of spirit gum. Mr. Chaney's face was covered in Yak hair almost as soft as Moose's, and his hands wore huge clawed gloves. I didn't mind, though, werewolves have never held any terror for me... Lon Chaney smiled at me, as he whispered in my ear. "Don't cry, Ginny. Don't you know that monsters live forever?"
It was when I turned to answer him, that I saw "The Others"
The first was a wiry, older man...dressed in a rusty black suit. He wore a skull cap, and his face was covered by an odd looking mask.
The next man was younger, and dressed in a tattered surgeon's gown. His handsome face was tired and worn, but his dark eyes blazed with triumph. The last visitor was almost as small as I was...his back twisted and bent. This fellow was dressed in rags, and carried a tiny cane.
I watched in wonder as "the others" smiled at me, and silently disappeared through a wall. I turned back to Mr. Chaney, and answered "yes....I know..."
I still live at the family home, now about a mile away from the parking lot of "The NEW Universal"....a megalopolis of cheesy gift shops, TV studios and tourists in trams. Mr. Chaney and Mr. Lugosi are gone now, as are Mom, Dad and Mr. Pierce, but *I* can still see them. So can many others, on nights when the moon is full.
I smile as I watch out my window, seeing the procession of dark forms climbing the rocky hill. Shades with brightly flaming torches. I then lift my beaker in a silent toast...whispering the ancient salute.
"....To a new world of Gods and Monsters...."
"----Our monsters live FOREVER----"
Happy Halloween, from Elisabeth ededed
Oh Elisabeth- This is such a wonderful story to share on this wonderful evening! With all the excitement of trick or treaters tonight, and all the work we've been doing all day on our yard, it was so nice to read these lovely words. Thank you for sharing this tonight and I will keep your toast in my head tomorrow night . :)
Thank you so much. I truly believe that it was "ghost written" in that it took approx. 40 minutes to write, print and then copy it for all of us.
I know that if we can light that spark of magic in one youngster...Our monsters will indeed live forever. My Gran told me about Lon Sr. in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, and how it frightened her. I've told my nephew how it scared ME, and gave him a copy, along with the Leroux book. I haven't heard back yet, but I think he's on the hook!
"E" ededed
That was a really nice read, Elisabeth. Really nice!
I've just discovered 12 pages of threads which I've never seen, and came across this. Thanks Elizabeth for this very nice tale.